Arashiyama in One Day
The bamboo grove at dawn, Tenryu-ji's garden, the monkey park above the river and a boat or train through the Hozu gorge, ending at Togetsukyo bridge.
Last updated 2026-09-03 · 1-day self-guided plan
Arashiyama
Bamboo at dawn, temples, monkeys, river
For visitors who want Kyoto's most photographed grove without the crowd, and a whole day in the hills west of the city.
1Bamboo Grove
Take the JR Sagano Line from Kyoto Station to Saga-Arashiyama (about 15 minutes) and be in the grove by 7:30; by 9:00 it is shoulder to shoulder. The path is short, so walk it twice, once each direction, and continue to the quiet lane past Nonomiya Shrine.
45 MinutesCost: Free- 2
Tenryu-ji
The grove's north gate opens straight into Tenryu-ji's garden, a Zen pond landscape borrowing the hills behind it; garden-only tickets are cheaper than garden plus hall. Opening is around 8:30, so time the grove first and the temple second.
1 HourCost: ¥500–800 - 3
Togetsukyo Bridge & Iwatayama Monkey Park
Walk down to the river and across the wooden Togetsukyo bridge around 10:30. The monkey park is a steep 20-minute climb on the far bank; a hundred wild macaques and the best view over Kyoto are at the top. Lunch back by the bridge, yudofu or soba, before the afternoon rush.
1.5 HoursCost: ¥600–800 
4Hozu River by boat or Sagano train
Pick one: the Sagano Romantic Train runs a slow 25 minutes up the gorge from Torokko Saga to Kameoka, or the Hozugawa boat drifts two hours back down through rapids to Arashiyama. Both stop in the coldest weeks of winter and sell out in autumn colour season; reserve ahead.
2 HoursCost: ¥900–6,000
5Kimono Forest & Randen tram back
At dusk walk through the lit kimono-fabric pillars beside Randen Arashiyama Station, then ride the little Randen tram east toward Shijo-Omiya for dinner along the Kamo River terraces in central Kyoto.
45 MinutesCost: ¥250–300
Day 1 Estimated Cost
- Food & drinks¥3,000–5,000
- Transport¥600–1,200
- Admissions & river ride¥2,000–7,500
Tips
JR out, Randen tram back: JR is fastest from Kyoto Station in the morning; the tram is the scenic way home.
The monkey park path is steep and unpaved; skip it with a stroller and do the riverside walk instead.
Tourist lunches by the bridge run out of tables by 12:30; eat at 11:30 or carry on to the quieter lanes north of Tenryu-ji.
Grove photos need soft light: before 8:00 or on an overcast day, otherwise the contrast is harsh.